© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Accused NM Mental Health Providers File Lawsuit

A group of New Mexico behavioral health providers have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to force the state to continue paying the providers and to stop publicizing allegations of wrongdoing from an audit.

Eight of the 15 companies accused of fraud and abuse in a recent audit filed the lawsuit Friday. They said in court documents that the suspension of payment and the bad publicity stemming from the Human Services Department's announcement have caused the providers irreparable harm.

A state audit last month said 15 New Mexico providers of mental health and substance abuse services failed to meet standards, overbilled the federal and state governments by tens of millions of dollars, and may have taken part in fraudulent activities.

___

Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.